Modified Chess Game

ABSTRACT

An extended chess game comprising a board divided into a first area, the Spirit World, consisting of all squares on the border forming a square ring and a second area, the Cardinal World, consisting of all the squares enclosed by the Spirit World. The pieces comprise conventional chess pieces, non-conventional chess pieces that are present at the beginning of the game and non-conventional chess pieces that are not present on the board at the beginning of the game. The rules allow the pieces to change color, to move from the Spirit World to the Cardinal World and vice versa, to kill members pieces of their own color, to move in lock step, two at the time, to come back to life after they have been killed by an opponent&#39;s piece, to be cloned, and to acquire abilities of belonging to pieces that have been killed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to board games, more particularly two-player board games such as chess and checkers.

BACKGROUND

The game of chess originated about 1500 years ago in India. Its early form called chaturanga translates as “four divisions of the military”—infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots, represented respectively by pawn, knight, bishop, and rook. The game moved to Persia around 600ACE. There its name became shatranj and its rules underwent some changes. Introduced into the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors, it had, by the year 1000, spread throughout Europe where it underwent more modifications. Several major changes implemented around 1475 rendered the game essentially as it is known today.

Chess represents a simulation of war on a game board between two kingdoms. Each piece is assigned certain role and capabilities. While the modern rules of chess are significantly more complicated than those of checkers or of Go, they are relatively simple in comparison with rules found in some modern computer games. In addition the roles assigned to the chess pieces are relatively boring in comparison with the diversity in the characterizations found in computer game avatars. Several attempts have been made to modify chess. None of them has gone as far as this invention in the richness of characterizing the pieces and of the rules. This game is the answer to a need felt by increasingly sophisticated modern players.

The growing generation (i.e., teenagers) can easily handle multitasking and far more complex situation than the earlier generations. This generation is usually intimately familiar with the complexity found in computer games such as Dungeon and Dragon™. They can handle more complex rules and would appreciate playing pieces representing the likes of avatars in computer games, and a wide range of strange and powerful personas.

There is, therefore, a need to extend the game of chess to provide modern players with a more complex and less predictable game populated with strange and unpredictable characters.

None of the prior art offers the same entertainment value of this invention. Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the positions of the pieces before the game begins and provides information about special board locations such as the Spirit World, the Cardinal World, the Four Corners, and the Four Central Squares called the Stonehenge.

FIG. 2 provides a legend that enables the reader to associate each piece to its own icon or image.

FIG. 3 shows the King's movements as well as possible castling movement and cannibalizing involving the King and the Rook.

FIG. 4 depicts movements of the Queen.

FIG. 5 illustrates the movements of the Rook.

FIG. 6 shows the movements of the Bishop.

FIG. 7 depicts the movements of the knight.

FIG. 8 illustrates the movements of the pawns.

FIG. 9 shows the movements of the Princesa.

FIG. 10 depicts the movements of the Prince.

FIG. 11 shows how Merlin moves in the Spirit World and in the Cardinal World.

FIG. 12 illustrates how Lancelot moves.

FIG. 13 shows Lancelot in lock with the King, and the two of them moving together.

FIG. 14 illustrates the movements of the Mercenary Pawns.

FIG. 15 depicts the movements of the Guardian Pawns.

FIG. 16 illustrates how the Princesa is liberated from the Spirit World by the entry of the Black Knight into the Cardinal World. Alternatively, this figure illustrates the creation of a Princesa clone (the Cesa) by the entry of the Black Knight into the Cardinal World.

FIG. 17 shows how the entry of the Black Knight into the Cardinal World is triggered when a Pawn traverses the board length-wise.

FIG. 18 illustrates the movements of the Dragon.

FIG. 19 depicts castling when the King and Lancelot are in Lock.

FIG. 20 shows how the Horseman of the Apocalypse is raised when the Black Knight kills inside the Spirit World.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an extended chess game for two players comprising a playing board consisting of an array of black and white squares alternatively arranged as on a chess board, divided into two areas. The first area referenced to as the Spirit World consists of all said squares on the border of the array. Essentially the Spirit World forms a square ring. The second area referenced to as the Cardinal World consists of all the squares which are enclosed by the spirit World. The game also comprises a set of playing pieces of two different colors to represent said two players. The playing pieces being of three kinds: conventional chess pieces; non-conventional chess pieces that are present at the beginning of the game; and non-conventional chess pieces that are not present on the board at the beginning of the game. The game also comprises a set of rules that allow the pieces to change color; to move from the Spirit World to the Cardinal World and vice versa; to kill members pieces of their own color; to move in lock step, two at the time; to come back to life after they have been killed by an opponent's piece; to be cloned; to acquire abilities of belonging to pieces that have been killed.

A preferred embodiment makes use of a playing board formed by a 14 by 14 array. This array consists of horizontal rows and vertical columns that define an orthogonal coordinate system having an X axis along the direction of said rows and a Y axis along the direction of said column. In the preferred embodiment the Cardinal World includes an area within itself referenced to as Stonehenge, consisting of the central 4 squares, and the Spirit World includes within itself four special locations, called the Four Corners which consist of the four corners of the square ring formed by the Spirit World.

The conventional chess pieces comprise a King, a Queen, two Bishops, two Knights, two Rooks, and seven Pawns. The unconventional chess pieces present at the beginning of the game comprise, one piece named the “Prince,” one named the “Princesa,” one piece named “Merlin,” one piece named “Lancelot,” six pieces named “Mercenary Pawns” and one named the “Black Knight.” The non-conventional pieces not present at the beginning of the game, include at least one named the “Guardian Pawn,” one named the “Bastard Prince,” one named the “Cesa,” one named the “Dragon”; and one named the “Horseman of the Apocalypse”.

The starting positions include thee first two rows and the last two rows of the Cardinal World. The coordinate system is relative to each player such that for each player the X axis points to the right and the Y axis points towards the opposite player. The set of rules comprise moving rules which define for each piece the set of all its possible movements in relation to the XY coordinate system, according to a tuple notation (x,y) such that x symbolizes the value of the component of the change along the X axis, and y symbolizes the value of the component of the change along the Y axis. The values of x and y are restricted to those which limit the position of a piece within the Cardinal World. The moving rules are applied symmetrically in the four quarters defined by (x>0, y>0), (x>0, y<0), (x<0, y>0), and (x<0, y<0). In the quarter defined by (x>0, y>0), the rules comprise:

-   -   a) allowing the King to move in the Cardinal World according to         set ((0,1), (1,0), (1,1);     -   b) allowing the Queen to move in the Cardinal World according to         set ((0,x), (x,0), (x,x));     -   c) allowing the Bishops to move in the Cardinal World according         to set (x,x);     -   d) allowing the Knights to move in the Cardinal World in L         patterns described by the set ((2,3), (3,2), (3,4) and (4,3));     -   e) allowing the Rooks to move in the Cardinal World according to         set ((0,x), (x,0);     -   f) allowing each one of the Pawns to move in the Cardinal World         according to the set ((0,1), (0,2);     -   g) allowing the Prince to move in the Cardinal World according         to the set ((1,y), (x,1));     -   h) allowing the Princesa to move in the Cardinal World according         to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1));     -   i) allowing Merlin to move in the Cardinal World according to         the set (x+1,x), (x,x+1)) and furthermore allowing Merlin to         move in the Spirit World in a straight line;     -   j) allowing Lancelot to move in the Cardinal World according to         the set ((u,v)) where 0≦u≦5 and 0≦v≦5) and by leaping over other         pieces as in checkers;     -   k) allowing the Mercenary Pawns to move in the Cardinal World         according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4));     -   l) allowing the Black Knight to move in the Cardinal World         according to the set ((0,3), (1,2), (1,4), (2,3), (3,0), (2,1),         (4,1), (3,2)) and furthermore, allowing the Black Knight to move         in the Spirit World by sliding to a position diametrically         opposed to its starting position.     -   m) allowing the Guardian pawns to move in the Cardinal World         according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4), (1,1), (2,2),         (3,3), (4,4)) as well as to bounce the edges of the Cardinal         World;     -   n) allowing the Bastard Prince to move in the Cardinal World         according to the set ((1,y), (x,1));     -   o) allowing the Cesa to move in the Cardinal World according to         the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1));     -   p) allowing the Dragon to move in the Cardinal World according         to the set ((0,x), (x,0); and     -   q) allowing the Horseman of the Apocalypse to acquire the         movement ability of the pieces it has killed;

The set of rules also include killing rules comprising:

-   -   a) allowing the King to kill at the locations it can reach         according to set ((0,1), (1,0), (1,1);     -   b) allowing the Queen to kill at the locations it can reach         according to set ((0,x), (x,0), (x,x));     -   c) allowing the Bishops to kill at the locations is can reach         according to set (x,x);     -   d) allowing the Knights to kill at the locations it can reach         according to the set ((2,3), (3,2), (3,4) and (4,3));     -   e) allowing the Rooks kill at the locations it can reach         according to set ((0,x), (x,0);     -   f) allowing each one of the Pawns to kill according to the set         ((1,1), (1,2);     -   g) allowing the Prince to kill at the locations it can reach         according to the set ((1,y), (x,1));     -   h) allowing the Princesa to kill at the locations it can reach         according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1));     -   i) allowing Merlin to kill in the Cardinal World at the         locations it can reach according to the set (x+1,x), (x,x+1))         and furthermore allowing Merlin to kill in the Spirit World by         sliding through opposite pieces;     -   j) allowing Lancelot to kill in the Cardinal World at the         locations it can reach according to the set ((u,v)) where 0≦u≦5         and 0≦v≦5) and by leaping over other pieces as in checkers;     -   k) allowing the Mercenary Pawns to kill at the locations they         can reach according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4));     -   l) allowing the Black Knight to kill in the Cardinal World at         locations it can reach according to the set ((0,3), (1,2),         (1,4), (2,3), (3,0), (2,1), (4,1), (3,2)) and allowing the Black         Knight to kill in the Spirit World at locations it can reach in         the Spirit World;     -   m) allowing the Guardian pawns to kill in the Cardinal World at         the locations they can reach according to the set ((0,1), (0,2),         (0,3), (0,4), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)) as well as by bouncing         the edges of the Cardinal World;     -   n) allowing the Bastard Prince to kill in the Cardinal World at         the locations it can reach according to the set ((1,y), (x,1));     -   o) allowing the Cesa to kill in the Cardinal World at the         location it can reach according to the set ((x+1,x−1),         (x−1,x+1));     -   p) allowing the Dragon to kill in the Cardinal World at the         locations it can kill according to the set ((0,x), (x,0); and     -   q) allowing the Horseman of the Apocalypse to kill at the         location it can reach.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is an extension of chess that simulates war in the time of ancient Camelot and that portrays the splendor, mystic, magic, and religious fanaticism of that era. The following topics shall be discussed:

-   -   a) The board     -   b) The pieces     -   c) The pieces' movements.     -   d) Addition of two-world play (Spirit and Cardinal) and how the         two interact.     -   e) The goal of the game

The Board

The game board shown in FIG. 1 consists of (14×14) 196 squares. The pieces on the board are shown in their starting position. Indices have been placed on the edges of the board to facilitate the description of the players' starting position and their movements.

The Spirit World

The outer perimeter of the game board defines the Spirit World 16 (rows 0 and 13 and column X and Y) The Four Corners of the Spirit World is the Spirit Dungeons, Purgatory and Haven for those visiting. They are the only squares that are dedicated as a safe zone; no kills can ever be made there. There is no limit to how many pieces can safely reside in any of the Four Corners of the Spirit World.

The Cardinal World

The inner (12 by 12) 144 squares 17 represent the playing field of the real world, which is called the Cardinal World, where the majority of the game is played. Rows 1 and 12 are called the Royal Rows 18.

The four central squares 19 marked by a circular symbol of Stonehenge (F6, F7, G6 and G7) are reserved as portal between the Spirit World 16 and the Cardinal World 17. The Black Knight 7 makes use of this portal when he is incarnated by the promotion of a Pawn 14. A more detailed description of this topic shall be provided in the section on the Black Knight.

The Pieces.

While all the classical chess pieces are retained, the range of their movement has been extended to accommodate the larger board. In addition, the atmosphere of Machiavellian Camelot is created by the introduction of new pieces characteristic of that era. The strategy inherent in the game is the consequence of the starting positions of, and movement allowed for, each piece. The players are assigned a point value. They can be classified into three groups. Group 1 refers to pieces already found in conventional chess. Group 2 are pieces that have been added to impart to the game the atmosphere of Machiavellian Camelot. These pieces are present at start up. Group 3 pieces have also been added to the game but come to life or become active as the game progresses.

Conventional Chess Pieces.

These are the classical players found in conventional chess. Because of the larger size of the board, the range of their movement has been extended while the basic theme inherent to the movement has remained the same. As shown in the legend depicted in FIG. 2, these players include the following:

-   -   a) The King 1 begins on G1 and G12 on his opposite color. He has         a point value of thirteen.     -   b) The Queen 2 begins on F1 and F12 on her own color. She has a         point value of nine.     -   c) The Rooks 11 begin on each corner A1, L1, A12, and L12. They         have a point value of six.     -   d) The Knights 3 begin on E1 and H1 and on E12 and H12. They         have a point value of five.     -   e) The Bishops 6 begin on C1 and J1 and on C12 and J12. They         have a point value of three.     -   f) The six Pawns 14 are placed on row 2 and row 11 intermixed         with Mercenary Pawns 12 (discussed below under Group 2)         according to each player's individual discretion. They have a         Point value of one.

Non-Conventional Pieces at Startup.

These players are present in the game at start up. They include:

-   -   a) The Princesa 9 begins on B1 and B12 on her own color         (Meaning, if you are playing white, she is on white and if you         are playing black, your Princesa will be on black. Like the         queen, she starts on her color.) She sits on the Queen's side         (Point value: seven).     -   b) The Prince 8 begins on K1 and K12 on his opposite color. He         sits on the King's side and like the King, he can be placed into         check. (point value: eleven).     -   c) Merlin 4 begins on D1 and D12 (Point value: eight).     -   d) Lancelot 5 or more familiarly “Lance” begins on I1 and I12.         He is initially in lock with his King. The Lock state will be         discussed below. (point value: ten).     -   e) The Six Mercenary Pawns 12 are placed on row 2 and row 11         according to each player's individual discretion. They move like         Pawns but move 1-4 spaces on the first move. (point value: one)

Non-Conventional Pieces Evolved During the Game.

These players are not present or not active at start up. They come to life as the game is played.

-   -   a) The Bastard Prince is a captured Prince 8 that turns against         his own color or players. His Point value is eleven. The         starting point of the Bastard Prince is the position where he         was captured or checkmated (Just as Kings, Princes in this game         can be checked and checkmated).     -   b) The Cesa (pronounced Cheza) is a cloned Princesa 9 that can         comes into play only if the original Princesa 9 has not been         killed. She is created when the Black Knight 7 enters and leaves         the Spirit World 16 and only when the Princesa is still alive.         Her point Value is seven, the same as the Princesa 9.     -   c) The Guardian Pawns 13 are created when the Rook 11 is         cannibalized through castling. The process of cannibalization         shall be discussed below in the section on pieces' movements.         Their starting points shall also be discussed in that section.         Their point value is two.     -   d) The Black Knight 7 comes into play on one of the four center         squares 19 (marked by the circular symbol of Stonehenge) when         one of the any three types of Pawns 12 or 13 or 14 becomes the         first pawn to cross board. The player is given the choice of         which of the four Stonehenge squares 19 becomes the starting         point of the Black Knight 7. The Black Knight's point value is         twelve.     -   e) The Dragon 15 only comes into play when the cannibalization         of a Rook 11 has occurred and a second pawn 12 or 13 or 14 has         crossed the board and the owner of that pawn chooses to make it         a dragon. It assumes play at the location where the pawn crossed         the board. Its point value is six.     -   f) Additionally, the Pawns' abilities are enhanced with the         presence of a Dragon 15. If a Dragon 15 comes on the board, all         pawns 12 or 13 or 14 may kill diagonally on their second step         after moving one step directly forward. This enhanced ability         only applies after the pawns 12 or 13 or 14 have moved from         their starting position. Also, once a Dragon 15 is in play, only         a pawn 12 or 13 or 14 can take possession of an opponent's         Dragon rather than killing it.     -   g) The Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 is created when the Black         Knight 7 kills the opponent's Black Knight 7 in the Cardinal         World 17 or Spirit World 16; or when the Black Knight 17 or         Merlin 4 kills their opponent's Merlin 4 or Black Knight 7 in         the Spirit World 16. The Horseman 10 enters into play at the         killing point. Thus, the starting point of the Horseman 10 is         where Merlin 4 or the Black Knight 7 were killed, the         transformation point. His point value is 0.

Movements for Conventional Pieces.

These pieces which include the King, the Queen 2 the Bishops 6, the Knights 3, and the Rooks 11 move exactly as they do in conventional chess. The movements of the Pawns 12 and the movements of the Knights 3 have been extended to accommodate the larger board. Castling of the King 1 has been modified as shall be discussed below under the topic Castling.

The King.

The movements of the King are illustrated in FIG. 3. The King 1 moves in any direction one square at a time except when he castles or when he is in lock with Lance 5. In addition to conventional chess capabilities, the King 1 may kill any friendly piece when in lock with Lance. The King may also kill his Prince 8 or the Black Knight 7 whether in lock or not. Castling shall be discussed in a separate section as it involves the King 1, the Rook 11, and may also involve Lancelot 5 and the Guardian Pawns 13.

The Queen.

The movements of the Queen 2 are illustrated in FIG. 4. They have not been altered from conventional chess: she moves horizontally, vertically, and diagonally in any direction: forward, sideways or backwards.

The Rook.

The movements of the Rook 11 are illustrated in FIG. 5. As in conventional chess he Rook 11 can move horizontally or vertically in any direction.

The Bishop.

The movements of the Bishop 6 are depicted in FIG. 6. As in conventional chess, the Bishop 6 can move diagonally in any direction always remaining on his original starting color.

The Knight.

The movements of the Knight 3 are shown in FIG. 7. As in conventional chess he moves in an L-shape in a 1-2 or 2-1 step. In addition, the Knight 3 has the option of moving in a 2-3 or a 3-2 step in order to cover more ground. Also, as in conventional chess, he can hop over his men or that of his opponent's.

The Pawns.

The movements of the Pawns 14 are illustrated in FIG. 8. The movements have been extended to accommodate the larger board. Each Pawn 14 on its first move, can travel one square as well as two squares as long as there are no intervening pieces on the first square. In addition, on his first move, a Pawn 14 can kill by moving one step directly forward and one step diagonally. On subsequent moves he is allowed to move up to two squares forward but without a kill. After the first move, he only kills to his immediate diagonal. A Pawn 14 is not allowed to travel backwards. When a player's first pawn crosses the board into his opponent's Royal row 18 as shown in FIG. 17, the pawn is transformed into a Black Knight 7 and is placed on one of the four center Stonehenge squares 19 of his choosing: F6, F7, G6 or G7.

Movements for Non-Conventional Players.

These players include the Princesa 9, the Prince 8, Merlin 4, Lancelot 5, and the Six Mercenary Pawns 12.

The Princesa.

The Princesa 9 is a non-conventional chess piece. As shown in FIG. 9 she starts, moves, and stays on her Queen's primary color. She moves diagonally like a Bishop with the exception of taking one perpendicular step to either side. She can either begin her move with a diagonal slide and ending with the a diagonal side step, or she can do the reverse, begin with one diagonal step and then slide perpendicular (diagonally) as many squares as desired. Her movement looks like a diagonal L or a checkmark. She may only move in a cleared path unable to jump over any man.

If the Princesa 9 is killed she gets a second chance at life. When her physical body is slain, she is banished to the Spirit Dungeon 20, which is the square of her color on the opponent's side of the board. Her reincarnation into the Cardinal World 17 (or her clone as a Cesa if the Princesa is alive) happens when a pawn 12 or 13 or 14 is transformed into a Black Knight 7, which the Princesa/Cesa can only be effected by the Black Knight 7 when he crosses from the Cardinal World 17 to the Spirit World 16 and exits again. The reincarnated Princesa and the Cesa 9 shall be discussed in greater detail in the Section on the Cesa.

The Prince 8 is also a non-conventional piece. As shown in FIG. 10 his movement is L shaped: He can slides horizontally or vertically like a Rook 11 along an arbitrary number of squares and then takes a single step perpendicular to the slide direction. He can also do the reverse: take a single horizontal or vertical step and then slide in a direction perpendicular to the step. He may only move in a cleared path unable to jump over men.

The Prince.

The Prince 8 is susceptible to check or checkmate. If this occurs, the player must make a selection from one of the following moves:

-   -   a) Move the Prince 8;     -   b) Block the check with another man;     -   c) Kill the checking piece;     -   d) Turn the Prince 8 over to his opponent. The Prince 8 then         becomes a Turncoat Bastard Prince playing for the opponent;     -   e) Kill the Prince 8. This game is different from conventional         chess in this instance since a player can kill the men playing         on his side.

A special case occurs if the Duel or check is performed by the opponent's Prince. In this case the player must make a selection from one of the following moves:

-   -   a) Move the Prince 8;     -   b) Accept to Duel, which means either kill the dueling/checking         Prince 8, or ignore him, which leaves the checked Prince 8         susceptible to being killed by opponents Prince but is still not         captured.     -   c) Enter into a Royal Standoff by placing a game piece to guard         the current square that the player's Prince occupies. The Royal         Standoff process shall be discussed below.

Guiding rules of the Prince 8 are listed below:

-   -   a) A Prince 8 cannot purposely place himself into check unless         it is Chivalrous: done to check an opponent's King 1 or to         protect his own King 1 (see Royal Duels & Acts of Chivalry);         however, without protection, he is at the mercy of the opponent.     -   b) A Prince 8 is allowed to check an opponent Prince, only if he         is protected by one of his own players or elects to duel.     -   c) A Prince 8 is allowed to kill an opponent Prince in a Duel         (See Royal Standoff & Duel).     -   d) A Duel/kill may occur if the Princes are in a Royal Standoff         (See Royal Standoff & Duel).     -   e) A Prince 8 may be sacrificed to protect his King. (See Royal         Duel & Acts of Chivalry).     -   f) A King 1 can kill his own Prince 8 without the assistance of         Lance 5.     -   g) In the event that the Prince 8 is placed in checkmate, he         becomes a turncoat, and is now playing for the opponent's side         and is referred to as the Bastard Prince.     -   h) If a player's Prince 8 is checkmated, the player must abandon         him, forfeiting him to his opponent. The player must still move,         since the betrayal becomes complete at the end of the checkmated         player's move: the Prince becomes the opponent's piece and is         referred to as the Bastard Prince.     -   i) If a Prince 8 and King 1 are checked in one move, both must         be freed in one move. If this not possible, the checked King 1         takes precedence over a Prince, the King 1 must be saved, even         if the Prince 8 cannot, then the Prince 8 becomes a Bastard         playing for the other side.     -   j) A Bastard Prince can be recaptured by being checkmated.     -   k) If a Prince 8 is in a Duel and checkmated, the piece that was         guarding the Prince 8 may be used to kill him.     -   l) A checked King 1 or Prince 8 takes precedence over all other         moves because they must be liberated; for the Prince 8, see         exceptions in the sections on duels, standoff,         abandonment/checkmate, and chivalry.     -   m) A Prince 8 can only capture the Black Knight 7 if the         supposed move used to capture him does not violate the rules of         a Prince 8 which forbids him to place himself in jeopardy         without chivalry or a duel.

Confrontations or duels between two Princes 8 or between a Prince 8 and a King 1 are of three kinds. 1) Royal Standoffs, 2) Royal Duels and 3) Acts of Chivalry.

-   -   a) A Royal Standoff occurs when a protected Prince 8 checks a         Prince who is also protected or who acquires protection on the         next move.     -   b) A Royal Duel between two Princes occurs when a protected         Prince 8 in a Royal Standoff kills the opposing Prince but in so         doing, places himself in checkmate. The surviving Prince 8 is         now at the mercy of the opponent and may either be killed by the         opponent, or converted into a Bastard Prince working for the         other side.     -   c) An Act of Chivalry is a Royal Standoff between a Prince 8 and         an opposing King 1. It occurs when a player purposely places his         unprotected Prince 8 in harm's way to defend his King 1 against         a check, or to place the opposing King 1 in check. An Act of         Chivalry sets the stage for a Royal Duel between a King 1 and a         Prince 8. While an Act of Chivalry allows the Prince to defend         his King 1, it exposes him to being killed. The Act of Chivalry         must be announced to qualify as such and overrides the rule         prohibiting a player from purposely placing his Prince 8 into         check. It can only be performed by the Prince 8 to defend his         King 1 or to check the opponent's King 1 leaving the Prince         susceptible to being killed like any piece. It is not to be         confused with abandonment, which forfeits him to work for the         other side.

Announcing and stating the Prince's act, as an Act of Chivalry, gives the opponent the opportunity to:

-   -   a) Kill the Prince 1.     -   b) Confirm the Chivalry, but elects to ignore the Prince, as his         death might not be profitable. If this is the case, this enables         the chivalrous Prince to be freed on the succeeding turn by         moving the Prince out of harm's way.     -   c) The opponent may try to capture the Prince 8 by accepting the         Act of Chivalry call, and applying a counter move that will         raise the ante and peril to the Prince 8. The opponent may take         the following actions:         -   i. Back-off from attacking the King 1. In other words             removing the direct threat to the King 1. This action             demands the player to remove the Prince 8 from harm's way.         -   ii. Place the King 1 in check. Since the Prince 8 is already             in check, the player now faces the task on the subsequent             move, of lifting the check from both the King 1 and the             Prince 8, and if not, the Prince 8 runs the risk of being             checkmated.

As a continuation of the play described above, if the Prince 8 is not killed or captured, the player performing the Act of Chivalry, now has these following options:

-   -   a) Perform another Act of Chivalry if he decides to place his         Prince 8 again in check. The Act of Chivalry would have to be         announced again;     -   b) The player may be able to free his Prince out of harm's way;     -   c) Accept the loss of the Prince 8;     -   d) Kill his Prince 8 with any piece if he can rather than         forfeit it as a Bastard.

If two players are in question as to whether a move is an Act of Chivalry or going against the rule of placing a Prince 8 in check, it is the responsibility of the player declaring the chivalrous act to prove it is chivalry rather than plain abandonment.

Merlin

Merlin 4, the magician, occupies the initial position D1 and D12. He can travel in both the outer board known as the Spirit World 16 and the inner board known as the Cardinal World 17. The movements of Merlin are illustrated in FIG. 11 They are different depending on whether he is in the Cardinal World 17 or in the Spirit World 16. His movements in the Cardinal World 17 can be described as an L shape or “generalized type of Knight's movements.” ( i.e.: 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, etc. or 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, etc.) He always ends his move on the opposite color of his starting point. He can jumps any amount of squares as desired as long as they are empty squares or those occupied by his men. He can never jump over an opponent's man.

Merlin 4 uses his “L” shape movement to enter the Spirit World 16. He does not have to stay on the square he landed on but may slide linearly to any of the appropriate colored squares of the Four Corners 20. Once inside the Spirit World 16, Merlin 4 either moves in his typical way back into the Cardinal World 17, or slides like a Rook 11 in one straight line per turn ending on the opposite colored square from which he started. See FIG. 11. It is important to note, upon entering the Spirit World 16, if Merlin 4 does not end his move by sliding over to the appropriate colored Corner/Haven for sanctuary, he is susceptible of being killed by the opponent's Black Knight 7 or Merlin 4.

Merlin 4 can reenter the Cardinal World 17 by executing an L movement from the Spirit World 16 landing on any opposite colored square from the one he started on in the Spirit World.

Merlin 4 killing capabilities are explained below.

-   -   a) He kills by sliding through his opponent in the Spirit World         16 or by landing on them in either realm (Spirit World 16 or         Cardinal World 17).     -   b) He may not kill in the Cardinal World 17 if he initiates his         move from the Spirit World's Haven/Four Corners 20.     -   c) He may enter the Cardinal World 17 from the Spirit World         Haven 20 without a kill and take possession of a square that         checks or checkmates a Prince 8 or King 1, or that captures the         Black Knight 7.     -   d) From the Spirit World's Haven/Four Corners 20 he can kill         those in the Spirit World 16, if they are not residing on one of         the Four Corners.     -   e) If Merlin 4 is in the Spirit World 16, but not on one of the         Four Corners 20, he may check or mate anyone in the Cardinal         World 17, or kill on re-entry from the Spirit World 16.     -   f) He may kill anyone in the Spirit World 16 including an         opponent's Merlin 4 or Black Knight 7 as long as they do not         reside in the Four Corners 20. If Merlin 4 kills an opponent in         the Spirit World 16, he is transformed into The Horseman of the         Apocalypse 10; see FIG. 11.     -   g) If a Merlin 4 kills an opposing Merlin or Black Knight 7 in         the Cardinal World 17, it does not constitute the raising of a         Horseman of the Apocalypse 10; the killing must occur in the         Spirit World 16 to raise a Horseman 10.     -   h) When Merlin 4 enters the Spirit World 16, he must slide to         the appropriate colored Corner 20 to avoid being killed. If         Merlin 4 does not choose to rest in the Spirit Sanctuary (one of         the four corners) 20, he is susceptible of being killed by the         opponent's piece that can travel in the Spirit World 16: Black         Knight 7, Horseman 10 or Merlin 4.     -   i) If killed, Merlin 4 still has another chance at life through         the promotion of a Pawn 12 or 13 or 14.     -   j) Any piece can capture an incarnated Black Knight 7, but only         Merlin 4, the Prince 8, the King 1, Queen 2, Lance 5 while in         lock, and the Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 can kill it.

Lancelot

Lancelot 10 or more familiarly, “Lance” is a loyal and valuable subject with great flexibility in movement. As shown in FIG. 12, Lance 5 has two options for movement: he may leap/hop vertically/horizontally or diagonally over other men only killing a piece if he lands on them, or he may move in any horizontal, vertical or zigzag direction up to three squares (unless he makes a kill). Lance 5 may kill his own men.

Locking and Unlocking

While in lock, both pieces, Lance 5 and the King 1 move as one as shown in FIG. 13, with the King 1 assuming the motion of Lance 5. The same rules of movement for Lancelot 5 apply to the locked pair. Since Lance 5 has a greater mobility than the King 1, locking allows the King 5 to assume Lancelot's movements and killing abilities. The idea behind lock is to allow Lance 5 to escort the King 1 and act as the King's bodyguard. The lock also empowers and increases the pair's ability to kill other pieces and enhances the capability of the King 1 to flee from danger. If Lance 5 elects not to kill, then he and the King 1 may move up to three squares in any direction: diagonal, vertical, horizontal or any combination of the three

Once the move is initiated, with the King 1 and Lance 5 in lock, neither player can unlock and move solo. However, Lance 5 may start his move solo and then position himself to create a lock and drag the King 1 with him for the rest of his turn (resulting in a maximum movement of three squares from start to finish). Either man may move to initiate a lock at any time but only Lance 5 may break a lock. If Lance 5 is locked to the King 1, and the King 1 moves, Lancelot 5 moves with him. The movement of both pieces are hampered when either Lance 5 or the King 1 makes contact, resulting in kill with another man.

A lock between Lancelot 5 and the King 1 occurs when Lancelot 5 and his King 1 are separated by one square between the two pieces, diagonally, vertically, or horizontally. The game starts with Lance 5 positioned in lock with the King 1. Lancelot 5 is located to the right of the King 1 on I1 or I12 with the King 1 on G1 and G12. Lance 5 may initiate a move while not in lock; move into lock, and then drag the newly locked King 1 with him to complete his move. If the King 1 is checked and is in lock, Lance 1 may break the lock only if his movement kills the pieces that placed the King 1 in check; if that is not possible, nor removing the threat with another piece, then they both move to secure the King 1.

While the King 1 is not in lock, he takes only one step per turn. The King 1 may only kill his own men when he is in lock with Lance with the exception of the Black Knight 7 and the Prince 8.

Lancelot killing capabilities when not in Lock.

When Lance 5 is not in lock and moves without hopping, he may kill up to two men, whether it is a friend or foe for the sake of the King 1 or Kingdom. Lance 5 may only kill on his first or second step, but not his third. If he makes a kill on his first step, then he may only take a second step if it results in a kill. If there are no men in range to kill on his second step, then his move is over. Another manner of movement for Lance is hopping. As shown in FIG. 12, Lance 5 may leap over any player pieces vertically, horizontally or diagonally. He may land on an empty square or land on a piece to make a kill resulting in the end of his turn. He may only make one kill per leap and is not entitled to a second move or kill after a leap. Lance 5 is never allowed to hop and then move, or move and then hop; he must do one or the other per turn.

Killing capabilities of Lancelot and the King when in Lock.

Lance 5 may kill up to two men while dragging the King 1 with him in lock and the King 1 kills those who are in his path. If Lance 5 moves three squares, no kills may occur by either he or the King 1. While in lock, a total of four kills may occur: two for Lancelot 5 and two for the King 1. However, if either man makes a kill on the first step, then there can only be a second step if there is a man in Lance's range regardless if there is a kill for the King 1. In other words, Lancelot's movement, and not the King's, rules the movement of the two while in lock. If a kill is in range after the first kill, Lance 5 does not need to make a second kill; the player may elect to end the move after the first step/kill by either man. For example, the following may occur:

-   -   a) Lance 5 kills a man on his first move and then kills again by         moving to a second square. Lance moves/kills while in Lock         taking the King 1 along, and if the locked King 1 moves into an         occupied square (friend or foe) the King 1 kills those pieces.         The maximum number of kills in this situation is four: Lance 5         makes his two kills, and the King 1 may make one or two kills         while moving in unison with Lance 5.     -   b) The King 1 kills whoever is in his path when led by Lance 5.         Their movement must stop after the first step/Kill unless Lance         5 can make a kill on their second step. In other words, if         either man makes a kill on their first move, a second move is         not allowed unless Lance 5 can kill on his second and final         step.     -   c) While in lock, a total of three steps in any direction may         occur if no kills are made.

A checked King while in Lock with Lance.

If the King 1 is placed in check while locked with Lance 5, the following options exist:

-   -   a) They both move or kill to a safe position.     -   b) Lance 5 breaks the lock to slay or block the checking         opponent.     -   c) Lance 5 initiates the move by unlocking, and finishes the         move by locking again and dragging the King 1 to safety with the         steps remaining in his move.     -   d) If possible, the King 1 may castle.     -   e) Kill or block the checking piece with any other disposable         piece.

Mercenary Pawns.

As shown in FIG. 1, a total of twenty-four pawns are placed on the board to start the game; each player places twelve pawns (six Mercenary Pawns 12 and six regular Pawns 14), in front of their Royal Row 18 with each player setting-up the starting positions of the two different kinds of pawns according to their own individual discretion. As illustrated in FIG. 14, on their first move, each Mercenary Pawn 12 has one of the following three options:

-   -   a) Kill a foe on the first forward square on the diagonal.     -   b) March directly forward one to four squares.     -   c) Move three steps forward and then diagonally to kill,         covering four squares.

After their first move, the Mercenaries 12 move like regular Pawns 14, killing at their immediate forward diagonal, or marching forward one or two squares. At no point are the Mercenaries 12 allowed to travel backwards. Like any of the pawns, when a Mercenary Pawn 12 crosses the board he is promoted/transformed to a higher rank.

Bastard Prince.

A Bastard Prince may originate either as a checkmated Prince 8 becoming a turncoat playing for the other side, or as a promoted Pawn 12 or 13 or 14 who has crossed the length of the board, and as long it is not the player's first Pawn to cross the board; the first Pawn across is reserved to transform into a Black Knight 7. The promotion of a Pawn 12 or 13 or 14 to a Bastard Prince is considered a birth, with the player either electing to place the Bastard Prince were the Pawn crossed, or placing it on the original starting place of the opponent's Prince (K1 or K12) regardless of safety. A Bastard Prince is susceptible at birth to check, checkmate, or being killed, and like a Prince, must follow the rules of a Prince 8.

Cesa and Reincarnated Princesa.

When the first Pawn crosses the board, the Black Knight 7 comes to life in one of the Stonehenge 19 four central squares as shown in FIG. 17. From the Cardinal World 17, he must enter and then exit the Spirit World 16 to release the killed Princesa 9 as depicted in FIG. 16. If the Princesa 9 is not dead, then a clone of the Princesa 9 can be created. This clone is called the Cesa. A player can have more than one Cesa. If the player's Princesa 9 has been killed, the player resurrects the original Princesa 9. The Princesa 9 or the Cesa enters play from either one of the two Spirit World's Four Corner Square, with the Cesa entering play from the opposite color of the original Princesa 9. Like Bishops 6, the colored squares they occupy remain the same, always moving on the same colored diagonal squares.

If the Princesa 9 is dead she is banished to her color in the Spirit Dungeon 20 on either side of the Spirit World's 4 Corners 20 awaiting resurrection. When the Black Knight 7 ends its move by entering into the Cardinal World 17 the Princesa 9 is re-incarnated: the player turn is not over, they have a second move by releasing the Princesa/Cesa from the Spirit Dungeon 20; she travels down the center diagonal from her Spirit Dungeon 20 square then hooking left or right.

Whether the Princesa 9 is re-incarnated or cloned as a Cesa, the properties of the resulting piece and the events leading to its creation are the same. A Princesa 9 comes out on her color (the color square on which she stated the game, B1 or B12), a Cesa on the opposite color from the original Princesa 9; they come into play from one of the Four Corners 20 of the Spirit World as shown in FIG. 16.

The Cesa moves like the Princesa 9 in a diagonal L or checkmark. Her movements are exactly like the Princesa 9 illustrated in FIG. 9, but playing on the opposite color. Every time a player gains control of a Black Knight 7, the player can resurrect his Princesa 9 or if he has a Princesa 9 then create a Cesa (See the section on the Black Knight 7).

The Guardian Pawns

Six Guardian Pawns 13 are created from either of the original Rooks 11 as a result of the King 1 castling and cannibalizing his Rook 11 in same movement. When cannibalization occurs, the Rook 11 is replaced by six Guardians 13. One Guardian 13 replaces the position of the cannibalized Rook 11 on the Royal Row 18 while the remaining five Guardians 13 are placed on the regular Pawn row, if there are more than five empty squares on the Pawn's row, they are placed according to the player's discretion. If there are five empty squares then the Guardians 13 must occupy each empty square, and if the Pawn row does not have enough empty squares, then the Guards 13 are kept in limbo (held off the playing board) until an available square appears being placed at the beginning of each successive turn.

The movements of the Guardians 13 are shown in FIG. 15. They can move like Pawns 14 or they can move forward diagonally. This provides the Guardians 13 an improved chance of guarding the King 1 or crossing and invading his enemy's Court for promotion. They can alter their diagonal direction in a perpendicular zigzag if they ricochet. A ricochet only occurs if they bump into one of the board's sides and bounce off in the opposite direction rather than penetrate the Spirit World 16. They cannot ricochet off a man. They cannot zigzag if there is no ricochet. Their typical move is either all diagonal or all forward. After their initial movement, they kill like regular pawns. The Guardians 13 can never travel backwards. Like any Pawn, if a Guardian Pawn 13 crosses the board to his opponent's Royal Row 18, he is promoted to a higher rank. The player's first Pawn always transforms into a Black Knight 7; succeeding pawns transform into whatever piece the player chooses (except another King 1, another Black Knight 7, or a Horseman 10. A player may promote a Guardian Pawn 13 to a Prince 8, Cesa, Princesa 9, Bishop 6, Rook 11, Queen 2, Knight 3, Merlin 4, Lance 5, or a Dragon. Any succeeding Pawn across may be promoted to a Dragon 15 only if either player has cannibalized a Rook 11.

On their first move, the Guardians 13 move and kill like Mercenary Pawns 12 with the options of a diagonal movement of 1 to 4 spaces. They may:

-   -   a) Kill a foe to their immediate forward diagonal.     -   b) March directly forward or diagonally one-four squares.     -   c) Move three steps straight forward and then diagonally to         kill, covering a total of four squares on one move.     -   d) After their initial movement, they are limited to one or two         steps directly forward, or at a diagonal, but killing only to         their immediate diagonal.     -   e) They cannot move in one direction then change to another         direction within the same turn, unless it is a ricochet.

The Black Knight

This piece resides in the Spirit World 16 until he is incarnated to wreak mayhem and havoc on the Cardinal World. His movement is governed by the rules of the world he is in.

Black Knight Movements in the Spirit World.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, in the Spirit World 16, the Black Knight 7 can travel in a straight line or around the corners 20 of the Spirit World 16. He can move one square or reach up to half the circumference of the board in one single move, reaching a position diametrically opposite to his starting position. As shown in FIG. 20, if he starts in one corner he can end in the diametrically opposed corner. When making a kill in the Spirit World 16, he finishes his movement as a Horseman by landing on or sliding through his kill stopping on an opposite colored square from which he originated or on a Corner Square 20.

Black Knight Killing in the Spirit World.

If the Black Knight 7 kills in the Spirit World 16, he immediately becomes the Horseman of the Apocalypse 10. Additionally, he may initiate his move and/or kill in the Spirit World 16 and terminate his move by killing or occupying a space in the Cardinal World 17 as long as he follows the Black Knight 7 regular movement or by assuming the movement of the chess piece he has just killed. See rules for movement as shown in FIG. 20. When two Black Knights 7 battle in any realm, only one survives creating a Horseman of the Apocalypse 10. If Merlin 4 is in the Spirit World 16, but not in the sanctuary in one of its Four Corners 20, the Black Knight 7 may kill him and thus become a Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 as illustrated in FIG. 20.

Black Knight Movements in the Cardinal World.

In the Cardinal World, the Black Knight 7 moves, as shown in FIG. 16, in an L-shape, in a diagonal 1-2 or 2-1 step, followed by the single step either forward or backwards or to his left or right. He leaps over men so he can't be blocked and lands on the opposite color of his origin.

Entry of the Black Knight into the Cardinal World

As shown in FIG. 17, the first time a pawn 12, 13 or 14 crosses the board to their opponent's Royal Row 18, this pawn must be promoted/transformed to a Black Knight 7. As shown in FIG. 17, once incarnated, the Black Knight 7 enters the Cardinal World 17 through one of Stonehenge's 19 four center squares (F6, F7, G6 & G7) of his choosing, and the Black Knight 7 may kill any player occupying the square in which he lands (this is the only time he may kill a King 1, thus ending the game).

Once in play in the Cardinal World 17, the Black Knight may release the Princesa 9 or a Cesa by entering and then exiting the Spirit World 16 on any subsequent turn; see illustration FIG. 16 Upon reentering the Cardinal World 17, the Princesa 9 or Cesa immediately enters diagonally from one of the Four Corners 20 as long as her diagonal is not blocked (see Princesa) killing whomever.

Abandoning and claiming a Black Knight

If at any time, while the Black Knight 7 is in the Cardinal World 17, he is checked and the owner fails to move him out of harm's way, then control of the Black Knight 7 can be seized by the opponent. The player seizing control of the Black Knight 7 does not have to inform the owner that the Black Knight 7 is in check. All he needs to do is claim control of the Black Knight 7 when it is his turn to play, by showing how the Black Knight 7 was abandoned.

Abandonment of the Black Knight 7 is subject to the following additional rules:

-   -   a) If a player checks a Black Knight 7 and your opponent         responds by checking your King 1 or Prince 8, then the Black         Knight 7 is not considered abandoned because the first priority         for a player is to remove the King 1 or Prince 8 from check.         However if the Black Knight 7 can be used to kill or block the         checker, then the player can point out the abandonment, claim         and use him. If a player's King 1 is placed in check by an         opponent who leaves his Black Knight 7 in jeopardy, then the         Black Knight 7 is not considered abandoned because the first         priority for a player is to remove the King 1 or Prince 8 from         check. However, if the King 1 or Prince 8 is freed on Lance's         first step, and the Black Knight 5 is in Lance's second kill         zone step, then Lance 5 may either kill the Black Knight 7 or         claim him, that is assume his immediate control for is         considered abandoned.     -   b) If a player abandons his Black Knight 7 whether intentionally         or not, then their opponent must point out that the Black Knight         7 is in jeopardy by one of his men in order to claim him. If the         opponent fails to do so during his turn, then the Black Knight 7         still belongs to the original player who should have moved him         from jeopardy. To avoid risking abandonment, the player who owns         the Black Knight 7 should move him or secure him.     -   c) Note, a player is considered to have abandoned their Black         Knight 7 only if their opponent notices it, points it out, and         claims him.

More Special Rules regarding the Black Knight:

-   -   a) The Black Knight 7 is not bound by the 144 squares of the         Cardinal World 17. He may move in and out of the Spirit World 16         and Cardinal World 17 using all 196 squares when he is         incarnated. Until incarnation occurs, he must remain in the         Spirit World 16.     -   b) When the Black Knight 7 ends his turn by entering the Spirit         World 16 and landing on a Spirit World square, he may         travel/slide horizontally or vertically as many squares to the         appropriate colored square, or corner square being the opposite         color from which he initiated his move. If he stays in the         Spirit World 16, then original Spirit World 16 rules apply.     -   c) If he elects to enter and exit the Spirit World 16 on the         same turn, he must travel in the 1-2, or 2-1 vertical “L” shape         followed by his sidestep landing on the opposite colored square         that he initiated his move. If a player leaves his Black Knight         7 in jeopardy intentionally or not, the Black Knight 7 is         abandoned when the opponent notices it on their turn and claims         control of the Black Knight 7 by announcing the abandonment; the         power of the Black Knight 7 is immediately transferred.     -   d) The Black Knight 7 is able to enter the Spirit World 16 and         exit it in one move. This allows him to move quickly and         stealthily, as well as free a Princesa 9 or Cesa held captive in         the Spirit Dungeon 20.     -   e) The Black Knight 7 may resurrect his Princesa 9 or Cesa only         once each time the Black Knight 7 is under a player's control.         (If a payer looses control and then reacquires control of the         Black Knight 7 then the Black Knight 7 gets another chance at         freeing the Princesa 9 or Cesa.     -   f) If a Black Knight 7 is claimed by the opponent, they only         receive control of the Black Knight 7 and not Princesa 9 or         Cesa.     -   g) The Black Knight 7 may check and checkmate a Prince 8 only         when the Black Knight 7 is in the Cardinal World 17; he may not         check or mate from the Spirit World Haven (any one of the Four         Corners 20) even if incarnated, but he may from any other square         of the Spirit World 16.     -   h) The Black Knight 7 cannot kill, check or checkmate a King 1.         But the Black Knight 7 may kill the King 1 on his incarnation to         the Cardinal World 17.     -   i) The King 1, Queen 2, Prince 8, Lance 5 in lock, Dragon 15 and         Merlin 4, are the only pieces that can kill an opponent's Black         Knight 7 in the Cardinal World 17, or they may seize control of         him.     -   j) Alone, Lance 5 may not kill the Black Knight 7; he may only         claim a Black Knight 7.     -   k) If a Black Knight 7 is killed, he does not go back to the         Spirit World 16, but is permanently removed from the game, and         nor can the player's second or succeeding pawns across the board         restore or become a Black Knight 7.     -   l) If the Black Knight 7 kills Merlin 4 in the Spirit World 16         he becomes a Horseman of the Apocalypse 10.     -   m) If a Black Knight 7 kills a Black Knight in the Cardinal         World 17 the killing Black Knight 7 is transformed into a         Horseman 10.     -   n) If the Black Knight 7 kills Merlin 4 in the Cardinal World         17, no Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 is created.     -   o) If the Black Knight 7 kills the other opposing Black Knight         or an opposing Merlin 4 in the Spirit World 16, then he becomes         a Horseman of the Apocalypse 10.     -   p) Any piece can claim an abandoned Black Knight 7 during their         turn.

Dragon

A Dragon 15 can be created when either player has cannibalized a Rook 11, and as soon as a 2nd pawn crosses the board. The first pawn crossing the board will always release the Black Knight 7. Promoting the second Pawn to a Dragon 15 is not automatic or mandatory but an option. FIG. 18 illustrates its movement and the following are special rules regarding the Dragon 15:

-   -   a) A Dragon 15 moves like a Rook 11 in a vertical or horizontal         line in the Cardinal World 17 (an advanced Rook 11). It has the         additional ability to fly over its own men, but not over         opposing men. It kills by traveling in a straight line and by         landing and acquiring the square of it opponent.     -   b) Once Dragon 15 is on the board, all Pawns (Mercenaries 12,         Pawns 14 and Guards 13) on either side increase in strength,         they may take a forward vertical step and then kill diagonally,         like the regular Pawn's initial movement.     -   c) All Pawns 12 or 13 or 14 are the only pieces which have the         option rather than killing the Dragon to take possession of the         Dragon 15 by becoming a Dragon-back rider. All other pieces can         only kill the Dragon 15.     -   d) Dragons 15 can castle with a King 1 like the Rook 11 he was         created from, but the Dragon 15 cannot cannibalize.

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Killing an opposing Black Knight with a Black Knight 7 on any realm (Cardinal World 17 or Spirit World 16) constitutes the raising of the Horseman of the Apocalypse 10. A Horseman 10 is also created when either an opposing Merlin 4 or an opposing Black Knight 7 is killed in the Spirit World 16. Merlin 4 or the Black Knight 7 kill by either landing or sliding through a piece in the Spirit World 16, thus possessing the other's soul becoming an entity for evil: a Horseman of the Apocalypse 10; (see Merlin FIG. 11 & Horseman FIG. 20). The following are rules regarding the Horseman 10:

-   -   a) A Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 does not check anyone; he has         no need to announce his checks or mates, he only kills them. He         is capable of killing the King 1, Prince 8, Black Knight 7 or         any player. Without the need to announce intent. The Horseman 10         just kills the King 1 and the game is over, with the killer of         the King 1 as the victor.     -   b) Killing the Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 with any piece         (King 1, Black Knight 7, Merlin 4, Pawn 12, 13 or 14, etc.) ends         the game in a stalemate with the game reset. See stalemate.     -   c) The Horseman's method of movement mimics any of the chessmen         he has killed acquiring the gifts and movement of all those he         consumes becoming stronger with each kill.     -   d) Horseman 10 can jump over opposing men.     -   e) If one Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 kills another Horseman,         total destruction of both worlds occurs, ending the game in a         stalemate, which signals a restart of the game. (See Stalemate)     -   f) A Horseman 10 can kill anyone from anywhere except in the         Four Corners 20 which is always considered a Sanctuary or Haven.

Tandem Pieces

The association or combinations of chess pieces that move conjointly in one move or on one turn are known as “Tandem Pieces”. The following are examples of Tandem pieces:

-   -   a) Lance 5 and the King 1 in lock.     -   b) Lance 5 moving into position to lock with the King 1 and then         finishing his move with the King 1 in lock.     -   c) The Princesa 9 reincarnated when the Black Knight 7 enters         and leaves the Spirit World 16.     -   d) The King 1 castling with or without Lance 5.     -   e) The King 1 castling (with or without Lance 5) and         cannibalizing the Rook 11 creating the Guardian Pawns 13.     -   f) A Pawn's 12, 13, or 14 promotion.     -   g) The creation of the Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 via the         death of Merlin 4 or the Black Knight 7.

Castling.

The option to castle occurs between the King 1 and the Rook 11 on the Royal Row 18 (Row 1 and 12). If the King 1 or Rook 11 has moved away from their original starting position, the King 1 must return to any square on the Royal Row 18 and the Rook 11 must return to either of the two original starting positions for the Rooks 11 (A1, A12, K1, or K12).

As shown in FIG. 19, it is possible for the King 1 to be away from the Royal Row 18, return to it, and then step horizontally to castle when in lock with Lance 5. Additionally, castling may only occur if there are no pieces standing between the King 1 and the Rook 11 being castled, with the exception of a locked Lance 5. Several types of castling may occur:

-   -   a) A traditional castle in which the King 1 moves toward and         occupies the Rook's position, and the Rook 11 jumps over the         King taking the space directly next to him.     -   b) The King 1 or Lance 5 move as far as possible to the left or         right while in lock and the Rook 11 jumps over the King 1         occupying the square next to the King 1.     -   c) Castle and cannibalize.

Cannibalism Castling.

As depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 19, the King 1 castles with or without Lance and then may elect to cannibalize his Rook 11 as seen in FIG. 3. When this happens, the Rook 11 transforms into the King's Guard 13 or Guardian Pawn. Five additional Guardian Pawns 13 are added to the board as already explained in the paragraphs describing the Guardian Pawns 13.

Castling without Lance.

Castling without Lance 5 is shown in FIG. 3. If the King 1 is not in lock with Lance 1, he moves/slides and occupies the position of the Rook 11 and the Rook 11 moves to the opposite side of the King 1, and comes to rest as either a Rook 11 or a guardian pawn. (Note that castling is different here from conventional chess because of the larger board). If cannibalization occurs, the Rook 11 is replaced by a Guardian Pawn 13, and five other Guardian Pawns 13 are placed on the board on the Pawn Row as already explained on the section about Guardian Pawns 13.

Castling with Lance

Castling with Lance is shown in FIG. 19. If the King 1 is in lock with Lance 5, the King 1 moves toward his Rook 11 occupying his Rook's position or a far as possible with Lance in Lock. The only thing that should impede the movement of the two in lock from sliding any further must be the wall/column A or L. The Rook 11 always moves to the opposite side and directly next to the King 1.

Additional thoughts on Castling

-   -   a) As shown in FIG. 19 the King 1 may kill and then Castle if in         Lock with Lance. He may do this to get out of check or checkmate         (castling is seen as the King 1 using a secret passages in his         castle), and it is their second horizontal step and Lance 5 has         a kill in his range. Therefore, it is possible to move, kill,         castle and cannibalize all in one move.     -   b) The King 1 may move up to three steps to castle while in lock         with Lance 5 if no kills have been made. If this occurs, the         third step must be from the Royal Row 18 in a horizontal         move/slide in the direction of the Rook 11 that is going to be         castled.     -   c) The King 1 may castle as many times as desired, but may only         cannibalize the original Rooks 11 (not promoted ones from         Pawns).     -   d) The King 1 may not castle into check/checkmate, but may check         or mate his opponent by castling or cannibalization.     -   e) Unlike Chess, the King 1 may castle out of and through a         checked square, as long as his escape route and final resting         place is non-threatening.

En Passant

With the enhanced movements of the Pawns 12, 13 or 14, the chess movement of a Pawn known as, En Passant is not used. It no longer applies, since the two square movements is part of the Pawn's natural movements.

Review of the Spirit World

The outer perimeter of the game board defines the Spirit World 16 (rows 0 and 13 and columns X and Y).

Spirit Dungeon

The Four Corners 20 of the Spirit World is the Spirit Dungeons, Purgatory and Haven. It is a Sanctuary for those visiting and a Haven to the Princesa 9 or Cesa held captive. The Four Corners 20 of the Spirit World are the only squares that are dedicated as a safe zone; it is the sanctuary from where no kills can ever be made. It is also where the Horsemen of the Apocalypse 10 stand guard, waiting to be released. There is no limit to how many pieces can safely reside in any of the Four Corners 20 of the Spirit World 16.

Warriors of the Spirit World

Warriors capable of attacking in the Spirit World 16 from the Spirit World 16 Haven are the Black Knights 7, the Horseman 10 if raised, and the wizard Merlin 4. Attacking from the Spirit World Haven/Four Corners 20 into the Cardinal World 17 are the Black Knight 7, Princesa 9 and Cesa who are allowed to kill any chessmen including the King 1, Prince 8, Horseman 10, and kill or claim a Black Knight 7 when they are first released from the Four Corners 20 of the Spirit World. When a Horseman 10 enters play, any of the three Spirit World warriors (Merlin, Horseman Black Knight) may kill anyone from anywhere. They may launch their attack from the Spirit World Haven/Four Corners 20, but they cannot kill anyone in those Four Corners 20. The Horseman does not need to announce his intentions when he places royalty in check. He does not check or checkmate a King 1 or Prince 8. His sole job is to kill. If he kills the King 1, the game is over.

Color and Space

In the Spirit World 16, spaces merge, with the Four Corners 20 acting as sanctuary. When entering into the Spirit World 16 without a kill, a piece may occupy the square it land on, or linearly slide to the appropriate colored square or Corner Square 20. A piece that is governed by landing and killing on the opposite color of his origin need only land or slide through his foe to make a kill, thus he may slide through in a single linear direction killing a piece and then occupy the nearest appropriate colored square after a kill.

The game begins with the spirits of the Black Knight 7 and an un-raised Horseman 10 residing on one of the Four Corners 20 of the Spirit World 16. When the Black Knights 7 (incarnated or not) are not residing on one of the Four Corners 20, they can kill or be killed. Nothing can be killed while residing in a Spirit World's Four Corners 20 (X13, Y13, X0, and Y0) but a kill can occur only in the Spirit World 16 (rows 13 and 0 and column X & Y excluding the Four Corners). More than one warrior may occupy one of the Four Corner squares 20. When a Princesa 9 is killed, her dungeon is one of the Four Corner squares 20 serving as her purgatory awaiting resurrection from where she will launch her attack.

Battling in the Spirit World

There are only three players that can kill in the Spirit World 16: Merlin 4, the Horseman 10 and Black Knights 7. They kill by occupying or moving through their opponent's square.

Movement in the Spirit World.

-   -   a) Merlin 4 moves like a rook or his original “L” movement.     -   b) The Black Knight 7 moves in an equilateral “L” moving         horizontally then vertically, or vice versa. Like Merlin 4,         while the Black Knight 7 resides or travels in the Spirit World         16, he may elect to move in a singular strait line, rather than         a full “L” movement. He is capable of covering ½ the board only         if he starts his move from one of the Four Corners.     -   c) The Horseman 10 assumes the movement of those he vanquished.

Kills or Checks from the Spirit World Haven/Four Corners

-   -   a) When the Cesa enters, or Princesa 9 reenters, she may, kill,         catch, check/mate anyone when entering the Cardinal World.     -   b) Her entrance can be blocked by placing a man on the         appropriate color and original starting place of the Rook 11.     -   c) When Black Knight 7 is initially released into the four         Stonehenge center squares, he may kill anyone, or check or mate         a Prince 8 or King 1 from his landing spot.     -   d) When residing, traveling or reentering into the Spirit World         Four Corners 20, the Black Knight 7 or Merlin 4 cannot kill,         catch, check or checkmate in the Cardinal World 17. The only         exception is when the Horseman 10 is in play: then the Black         Knight 7, Merlin 4 and the Horseman 10 can attack anyone from         the Spirit World Four Corners 20.

Goal and ending the game.

The goal of the game is:

-   -   a) Checkmate: Checkmating an opponent's King 1.         -   i. Check is a warning of attack by placing an opponent's             piece in imminent danger, where the checked piece is             susceptible of being killed by an opponent's next move. The             checked piece must move to safety, kill the piece that             places it in check, or block that piece. No other option or             movements may be performed if it is a Prince 8 or King 1.             The checked royal pieces must be protected from death.         -   ii. Checkmate is checking a piece where no possible             movements of escape exist, and neither can it remain on the             space on which it resides.     -   b) Resign: Either player may resign at any time.     -   c) Kill the King 1.

Stalemate or Tie.

-   -   a) If a stalemate occurs, the game resets with both Black         Knights 7 in full play. Each player has the option of         substituting one Rook 11 for a Dragon 15. The Black Knights 7         are placed on their half of the board on one the four center         squares 19 where the Stonehenge emblem resides (F6 or G6, and F7         or G7) The players will move one to two players at a time. The         players are allowed to move two identical pieces at once. Thus         rules define identical pieces as pieces capable of the same         motion and allow such identical pieces, in case of stalemate or         tie, to move at each turn as for example, the Knights 3, Pawns         (regardless of kind) 12, 13 or 14, Bishops 6, Rooks 11, or any         other that has duplicate: Princesa 9 and Cesa, a Prince 8 and a         Bastard, or if both Black Knight 7 are in a person's control.     -   b) A stalemate occurs when a player's only move is to place his         own unchecked King 1 into check. As long as a player can move         another piece or the King 1 can move to an open square, there is         no stalemate.     -   c) Stalemate results when no checkmate/death of the King 1 is         possible with the current pieces on the board.     -   d) Killing a Horseman of the Apocalypse 10 with another Horseman         or killing a Horseman 10 with any other piece ends the game in a         stalemate.

While the above description contains many specificities, the reader should not construe these as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within its scope. Accordingly, the reader is requested to determine the scope of the invention by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples which have been given. 

1. An extended chess game for two players comprising: a) a playing board consisting of an array of black and white squares alternatively arranged as on a chess board, divided into two areas: i) first area referenced to as the Spirit World consisting of all said squares on the border of said array, said Spirit World forming a square ring; ii) second area referenced to as the Cardinal World consisting of all said squares that are enclosed by said spirit World; b) a set of playing pieces of two different color to represent said two players, said playing pieces being of three kinds: i) a first kind comprising conventional chess pieces; ii) a second kind comprising non-conventional chess pieces that are present at the beginning of the game; and iii) a third kind comprising non-conventional chess pieces that are not present on said board at the beginning of the game; c) a set of rules allowing playing pieces: i) to change color; ii) to move from said Spirit World to said Cardinal World and vice versa, iii) to kill members pieces of their own color; iv) to move in lock step, two at the time; v) to come back to life after they have been killed by an opponent's piece; vi) to be cloned; vii) to acquire abilities of belonging to pieces that have been killed.
 2. An extended chess game as in claim 1 wherein: a) said playing board forms a 14 by 14 array, said 14×14 array consisting of horizontal rows and vertical columns defining an orthogonal coordinate system having an X axis along the direction of said rows and a Y axis along the direction of said column, said Cardinal World comprising an area within itself referenced to as Stonehenge, consisting of the central four squares, and said Spirit World comprising within itself four special locations, called the Four Corners, and consisting of the four corners of said square ring formed by said Spirit World; b) said first kind of playing pieces which can move approximately as in conventional chess, said first kind of playing pieces consisting of: i) a King; ii) a Queen; iii) two Bishops; iv) two Knights; v) two Rooks; and vi) six Pawns; c) said second kind of playing pieces comprising: i) one referenced to as the “Prince,” ii) one referenced to as the “Princesa,” iii) one referenced to as “Merlin,” iv) one referenced to as “Lancelot,” v) six referenced to as “Mercenary Pawns”; and vi) one referenced to as the “Black Knight;” and d) said third kind of playing pieces comprising: i) at least one referenced to as “Guardian pawn”; ii) one referenced to as the “Bastard Prince”; iii) one referenced to as the “Cesa”; iv) one referenced to as the “Black Knight”; v) one referenced to as the “Dragon”; and vi) one referenced to as the “Horseman of the Apocalypse”; e) starting positions for said pieces of said first and second kinds, comprising the first two rows of said Cardinal World for the first of said players and the last two rows of said Cardinal world for the second of said players, said coordinate system being relative to each said player such that for each said player, said X axis points to the right, and said Y axis points towards opposite player; f) said set of rules comprising moving rules, said moving rules defining for each said piece as the set of all its possible movements, each said movement representing a change in position, said change in said Cardinal World being describable in relation to said XY coordinate system, according to a tuple notation (x,y) such that said x symbolizes the value of the component of said change along said X axis, and said y symbolizes the value of the component of said change along said Y axis, said x and said y only able to take values that restrict the position of a piece within said Cardinal World, and said moving rules being applied symmetrically in the four quarters defined by (x>0,y>0), (x>0,y<0), (x<0,y>0), and (x<0,y<0) and furthermore, for said quarter (x>0,y>0), said rules comprising: i) allowing said King to move in said Cardinal World according to set ((0,1), (1,0), (1,1); ii) allowing said Queen to move in said Cardinal World according to set ((0,x), (x,0), (x,x)); iii) allowing said Bishops to move in said Cardinal World according to set (x,x); iv) allowing said Knights to move in said Cardinal World in L patterns described by the set ((2,3), (3,2), (3,4) and (4,3)); v) allowing said Rooks to move in said Cardinal World according to set ((0,x), (x,0); vi) allowing each one of said Pawns to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,1), (0,2); vii) allowing said Prince to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)); viii) allowing said Princesa to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)); ix) allowing said Merlin to move in said Cardinal World according to the set (x+1,x), (x,x+1)) and furthermore allowing said Merlin to move in said Spirit World in a straight line; x) allowing said Lancelot to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((u,v)) where 0≦u≦5 and 0≦v≦5) and by leaping over other said pieces as in checkers; xi) allowing said Mercenary Pawns to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4)); xii) allowing said Black Knight to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,3), (1,2), (1,4), (2,3), (3,0), (2,1), (4,1), (3,2)) and furthermore, allowing said Black Knight to move in said Spirit World by sliding to a position diametrically opposed to its starting position. xiii) allowing said at least one Guardian pawns to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)) as well as to bounce the edges of said Cardinal World; xiv) allowing said Bastard Prince to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)); xv) allowing said Cesa to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)); xvi) allowing said Dragon to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,x), (x,0); and xvii) allowing said Horseman of the Apocalypse to acquire the movement ability of said pieces it has killed; g) said set of rules comprising killing rules comprising: i) allowing said King to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to set ((0,1), (1,0), (1,1); ii) allowing said Queen to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to set ((0,x), (x,0), (x,x)); iii) allowing said Bishops to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations is can reach according to set (x,x); iv) allowing said Knights to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((2,3), (3,2), (3,4) and (4,3)); v) allowing said Rooks to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to set ((0,x), (x,0); vi) allowing each one of said Pawns to kill in said Cardinal World according to the set ((1,1), (1,2); vii) allowing said Prince to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)); viii) allowing said Princesa to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)); ix) allowing said Merlin to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set (x+1,x), (x,x+1)) and furthermore allowing said Merlin to kill in said Spirit World by sliding through opposite pieces; x) allowing said Lancelot to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((u,v)) where 0≦u≦5 and 0≦v≦5) and by leaping over other said pieces as in checkers; xi) allowing said Mercenary Pawns to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations they can reach according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4)); xii) allowing said Black Knight to kill in said Cardinal World at locations it can reach according to the set ((0,3), (1,2), (1,4), (2,3), (3,0), (2,1), (4,1), (3,2)) and allowing the Black Knight to kill in said Spirit World at locations it can reach in said Spirit World; xiii) allowing said Guardian pawns to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations they can reach according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)) as well as by bouncing the edges of said Cardinal World; xiv) allowing said Bastard Prince to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)); xv) allowing said Cesa to kill in said Cardinal World at the location it can reach according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)); xvi) allowing said Dragon to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can kill according to the set ((0,x), (x,0); and xvii) allowing said Horseman of the Apocalypse to kill at the location it can reach.
 3. An extended chess game as in claim 2 wherein said playing board comprises a playing board means, said set of playing pieces comprises a set of playing pieces means and said set of playing rules comprises a set of rules means.
 4. An extended chess game as in claim 1 wherein said playing board comprises a playing board means, said set of playing pieces comprises a set of playing pieces means and said set of rules comprises a set of playing rules means.
 5. An extended chess game wherein said playing board comprises a playing board means, said set of playing pieces comprises a set of playing pieces means and said set of rules comprises a set of playing rules means.
 6. An extended chess game as in claim 1 wherein: a) said playing board forms a square array, said array consisting of horizontal rows and vertical columns defining an orthogonal coordinate system having an X axis along the direction of said rows and a Y axis along the direction of said column, said Cardinal World comprising an area within itself referenced to as Stonehenge, consisting of the central four squares, and said Spirit World comprising within itself four special locations, called the Four Corners, and consisting of the four corners of said square ring formed by said Spirit World; b) said first kind of playing pieces which can move approximately as in conventional chess, said first kind of playing pieces consisting of: i) a King; ii) a Queen; iii) two Bishops; iv) two Knights; v) two Rooks; and vi) a number of Pawns; c) starting positions for said pieces of said first and second kinds, comprising the first two rows of said Cardinal World for the first of said players and the last two rows of said Cardinal world for the second of said players, said coordinate system being relative to each said player such that for each said player, said X axis points to the right, and said Y axis points towards opposite player; d) said set of rules comprising moving rules, said moving rules defining for each said piece as the set of all its possible movements, each said movement representing a change in position, said change in said Cardinal World being describable in relation to said XY coordinate system, according to a tuple notation (x,y) such that said x symbolizes the value of the component of said change along said X axis, and said y symbolizes the value of the component of said change along said Y axis, said x and said y only able to take values that restrict the position of a piece within said Cardinal World, and said moving rules being applied symmetrically in the four quarters defined by (x>0,y>0), (x>0,y<0), (x<0,y>0), and (x<0,y<0) and furthermore, for said quarter (x>0,y>0), said rules comprising: i) allowing said King to move in said Cardinal World according to set ((0,1), (1,0), (1,1); ii) allowing said Queen to move in said Cardinal World according to set ((0,x), (x,0), (x,x)); iii) allowing said Bishops to move in said Cardinal World according to set (x,x); iv) allowing said Knights to move in said Cardinal World in L patterns described by the set ((2,3), (3,2), (3,4) and (4,3)); v) allowing said Rooks to move in said Cardinal World according to set ((0,x), (x,0); vi) allowing each one of said Pawns to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,1), (0,2); e) said set of rules comprising killing rules comprising: i) allowing said King to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to set ((0,1), (1,0), (1,1); ii) allowing said Queen to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to set ((0,x), (x,0), (x,x)); iii) allowing said Bishops to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations is can reach according to set (x,x); iv) allowing said Knights to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((2,3), (3,2), (3,4) and (4,3)); v) allowing said Rooks to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to set ((0,x), (x,0); vi) allowing each one of said Pawns to kill in said Cardinal World according to the set ((1,1), (1,2);
 7. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein said playing board forms a 14 by 14 array.
 8. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein second kind of playing pieces comprise a Prince and said rules comprise allowing said Prince to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)) and furthermore, wherein said killing rules comprise allowing said Prince to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)).
 9. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein second kind of playing pieces comprise a Princesa and said rules comprise allowing said Princesa to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)) and furthermore, wherein said killing rules comprise allowing said Princesa to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)).
 10. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein second kind of playing pieces comprise “Merlin” and said rules comprise allowing said Merlin to move in said Cardinal World according to the set (x+1,x), (x,x+1)) and furthermore allowing said Merlin to move in said Spirit World in a straight line and furthermore, wherein said killing rules comprise allowing said Merlin to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set (x+1,x), (x,x+1)) and furthermore allowing said Merlin to kill in said Spirit World by sliding through opposite pieces.
 11. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein second kind of playing pieces comprise “Lancelot” and said rules comprise allowing said Lancelot to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((u,v)) where 0≦u≦5 and 0≦v≦5) and by leaping over other said pieces as in checkers and furthermore wherein said killing rules allowing said Lancelot kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((u,v)) where 0≦u≦5 and 0≦v≦5) and by leaping over other said pieces as in checkers.
 12. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein second kind of playing pieces comprise Mercenary Pawns and said rules comprise allowing said Mercenary Pawns to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4)) and wherein comprise killing rules allowing said Mercenary Pawns to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations they can reach according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4)).
 13. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein second kind of playing pieces comprise a “Black Knight”, and said rules comprise allowing said Black Knight to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,3), (1,2), (1,4), (2,3), (3,0), (2,1), (4,1), (3,2)) and furthermore, allowing said Black Knight to move in said Spirit World by sliding to a position diametrically opposed to its starting position and furthermore wherein said killing rules comprise allowing said Black Knight to kill in said Cardinal World at locations it can reach according to the set ((0,3), (1,2), (1,4), (2,3), (3,0), (2,1), (4,1), (3,2)) and allowing the Black Knight to kill in said Spirit World at locations it can reach in said Spirit World.
 14. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein third kind of playing pieces comprise at least one Guardian pawn, and said rules comprise allowing said at least one Guardian Pawn to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)) as well as to bounce the edges of said Cardinal World and furthermore wherein said killing rules allowing said Guardian pawns to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations they can reach according to the set ((0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)) as well as by bouncing the edges of said Cardinal World.
 15. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein third kind of playing pieces comprise a Bastard Prince and said rules comprise allowing said Bastard Prince to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)), and furthermore said killing rules allowing said Bastard Prince to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can reach according to the set ((1,y), (x,1)).
 16. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein third kind of playing pieces comprise a Cesa, and said rules comprise allowing said Cesa to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)) and furthermore, wherein said killing rules comprise allowing said Cesa to kill in said Cardinal World at the location it can reach according to the set ((x+1,x−1), (x−1,x+1)).
 17. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein third kind of playing pieces comprise a Dragon, said rules comprise allowing said Dragon to move in said Cardinal World according to the set ((0,x), (x,0), and furthermore, wherein said killing rules comprise allowing said Dragon to kill in said Cardinal World at the locations it can kill according to the set ((0,x), (x,0).
 18. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein third kind of playing pieces comprise a Horseman of the Apocalypse, said rules allowing said Horseman to acquire the movement ability of said pieces it has killed and furthermore, wherein said killing rules allowing said Horseman of the Apocalypse to kill at the location it can reach.
 19. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein said rules define identical playing pieces as pieces capable of the same motion, and furthermore said rules allow, in case of stalemate or tie, a number of said identical pieces to move at each turn.
 20. An extended game as in claim 6 wherein said rules allow a number of said playing pieces to move in tandem. 